THIS ISSUE:: January 2010
In the January 2010 Issue
Country Focus
on Spain This month we feature spain, and hear how direct selling is helping to keep the dream alive, during the recession.
Direct selling helping to keep the dream alive!
The recession has hit Spain harder than almost any other country in Europe, with unemployment running at around 20 per cent. For the direct selling industry this is both an opportunity and a challenge, as Judith Wojtowicz discovers.
4Life chooses Spain as first European market
STRONG local networks managed by Distributors in other parts of the world made Spain the ideal market when 4Life Research decided to expand into Europe.
Timely reminder from Herbalife that poor nutrition can be improved
TWENTY years of ‘solid business and continuous growth’ in Spain has seen Herbalife established as a leading player in a market where demand for nutritional supplements is rising - 2009 saw growth of 12 per cent over the previous year.
Web site brings new focus for Stanhome World woman
A NEW Web site being launched this month (January) is expected to bring big benefits for Stanhome World Spain. With 2009 recruitment running at double the previous year, the global web platform is a massive investment that will support new Consultants (Consejeras) as well as generate more leads and inquiries.
My Story Kathy Arias
Initially I was attracted to the brand by the quality of the products and the really professional catalogue. The big appeal however has been the career opportunity and the chance it offers to be my own boss and choose my own working pattern.
Beauty Academy marks new year for VIE at Home
THE launch this month (January) of its Beauty Academy for Consultants is the latest step as VIE at Home rejuvenates its operation in Spain following a management buyout from the UK-based Virgin Group in early 2009.
Letter from the Direct Selling Association
by Benito Ribas, Chairman
QUALITY and innovation are absolutely essential in our market, where the retail sector is one of the strongest in Europe. This is the biggest difference between Spain and other countries and has created a highly and extremely competitive environment.Neways ready for European opportunities
BRIAN Slobodow, President and COO of NEWAYS International, takes pride in his company and team.
Awards Highlights for Ireland
MOTIVATION, inspiration and recognition, the hallmark of the direct selling industry, were in evidence at the annual awards dinner of the Direct Selling Association of Ireland.
PartyLite Consultant wins unique award at ‘Mumpreneur’ 2009 Conference
PartyLite UK are very proud to congratulate their Sales Representative Jane Baker for receiving an award for ‘Best Direct Sales Representative’ at their ‘Mumpreneur’ 2009 conference held in October 2009.
New UK Office Greenest in the Avon World
AVON’S new head office in the UK has been described as a landmark building, with every effort taken to incorporate the very latest technology in line with today’s focus on sustainable design.
Happy Birthday Oriflame Portugal! 25 years fulfilling your dreams!
Oriflame Portugal was born in 1985, founded by Beatriz Teixeira de Mesquita, and has been managed since 1997 by Carlos Abrantes.
TNI UK’s New Office opens in Camden, London
Tahitian Noni International (TNI) UK opened their doors both to the public, and their Independent Product Consultants (IPCs) when they recently opened their new Camden, London, office. IPCs had travelled from across the UK, Ireland, Belgium and Holland and some had made a very early start in order to be there.
feDSA briefing
FEDSA and WFDSA meetings in Paris Chaired by Richard Berry, the WFDSA Secretaries’ Seminar took place in Paris on 16th September 2009. FEDSA and 16 DSAs from all over the world were represented, including representatives from the largest European DSAs. John Holloway, Executive Director of the Australian DSA, and Philippe Jacquelinet, President of the French DSA, gave an overview of their respective associations.
Better Together!
BETTERWARE UK has pledged to raise a minimum of £30,000 for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity through sales from its autumn catalogues and various national fundraising events run by the sales force and head office employees.
Celebrating Two Years of Success in the UK: It’s a Family Affair at Arbonne!
Arbone, based at Grange Park, Northampton, celebrated two successful years in the UK in November 2009, by reporting record-breaking sales and growth. Independent Consultant numbers have now grown to more than 6,000 and are predicted to rise further in early 2010. At the recently held National Training Conference in Blackpool, four Regional Vice Presidents, two proud Executive Regional Vice Presidents and one National Vice President lined up their white Mercedes as testaments to their achievements and recognition of their hard work.
VideoPlus expands across Europe
Direct Selling News Europe Editor Paul Southworth describes how the largest supplier to direct selling companies in the United States is expanding across Europe.
Meet the Leaders
Annie roberts talks with Chris Roberts and Joanne Popham of Jo Magdalena
Living the Dream
Oriflame pioneered natural beauty products not tested on animals back in the 1960s and is today one of the world’s fastest growing direct selling companies. Here, Direct Selling News Europe’s Madeline Clark looks at the company’s very latest developments within Europe and finds out more about its exciting new strategies for attracting budding entrepreneurs.
The importance of leading from within
By Kevin Abdulrahman
Kevin Abdulrahman is an International Author of a series of books that are being translated into several languages. Kevin Abdulrahman is an International Author of a series of books that are being translated into several languages.He also holds a role as the Training and Development Director for the Direct Selling Educational Institute (DSEI) in Dubai. Kevin’s articles are regularly published in magazines, reports, newsletters and newspapers, constantly being used as resources all over the world. He helps winning organisations, universities, sports teams and individuals create breakthrough results.Time to take a stand!
Penny Farish is General Manager of Mary Kay Cosmetics UK and also Chairman of the UK Direct Selling Association. Here she puts the spotlight on the impact EU legislation can have on the direct selling industry and explains why members ignore latest EU proposals at their peril.
‘Tax Without Tears’
By Robert Sherwood, DSL Accounting
OUR story started 16 years ago, when I was fi rst introduced to the direct selling industry. I had qualified as a Chartered Accountant many years earlier, but a marketing colleague persuaded me to take a look at an industry, which, at the time, was completely unknown to me. From 1993 to 1996 together we built a large organisation of almost 4,000 Distributors, fi rst in the UK and later throughout Europe, so it was exciting times.Because you can’t be there all the time
Have you ever wanted to be in front of your staff, your customers and your key influencers all the time — even when you’re asleep? With huge teams, ever increasing targets and the need to communicate messages which will not only be received but also acted upon the need to reach your people in effective ways is not only important, it is crucial.
Simple ideas are the best!
The direct selling industry is constantly looking for ways to enhance its services. Companies like UK-based Just Digital Ltd, marketing service specialists, are helping to push the boundaries with the development of bespoke online ordering facilities, making a difference to the work of Sales Consultants. Just Digital Ltd is a registered supplier member of the UK Direct Selling Association.
The development of the Swedish Direct Selling Association’s Academic Project
A progress update on this initiative, which first appeared in Direct Selling News Europe in November 2008
The many challenges of starting a new business - but they needn’t challenge you!
By Peter Cartwright
EVERY new business starts with an idea, an invention, a new product or the expansion of a successful business into a new marketplace.